Ergonomic bag assembly for foods

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a bag assembly for foods, in particular granular foods, including at least one bag which comprises two main walls joined by two side faces forming a gusset (S 1 , S 2 , S) along each side edge of the said main walls, and gripping means for the bag assembly, characterized in that the gripping means are implanted close to a side edge of each bag of the assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/472,268filed Mar. 17, 2004 which is a national stage filing of PCT/EP02/03765filed Mar. 15, 2002, claiming priority to FR 01/03749 filed Mar. 20,2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to food bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In particular, it is advantageously used for bags for granular foods,such as dog or cat biscuits, for example.

Granular food bags made out of two main walls and two side faces arealready known, these walls and faces being made of a flexible-sheet typematerial, the two main walls being assembled, at their two ends, the oneon top of the other along two respective assembly lines, each assemblyline being, for example, a weld or glue line, the two side faces, fortheir part, being shaped in the form of a gusset.

The walls and the side faces can be realised in any flexible material,for example with a base made of paper, flexible cardboard, plasticsheets or light metal. It is also possible to form laminatedmultilayered sheets using more than one of these materials.

FIGS. 1 a to 1 c represent diagrammatically the three main stages in themanufacture of an example of such a bag, according to the prior art.

In these figures, a sheet 10 realised in a flexible material is firstlydoubled over along a median line L (FIG. 1 a), such as to form the twomain walls 11, 12 of the bag.

The line L is orientated in a direction corresponding to the directionwhich will be the direction of principal extension of the bag once thishas been made.

The sheet 10 having thus been doubled over, the two main walls 11, 12are joined together in such a way as to form a substantially cylindricalsleeve C (FIG. 1 b). This “joining together” can be effected by anymeans which is known per se and is suited to the sheet material(welding, gluing . . . )

In the formation of this sleeve C, at the level of the side edges of thetwo walls 11 and 12 gussets S are formed by the arrangement of a foldline LS over all or part of the sleeve height (corresponding to theheight of the bag) on each side of each main wall.

It is pointed out that, within the introduction of the present text, allterms of orientation (“below”, “above”, “upper”, “lower”, etc.) must beunderstood in relation to an arrangement in which the bag is heldupright by being placed by its bottom on a horizontal surface, asrepresented in FIG. 1 c.

The bag is then closed at the level of the lower and upper ends of thesleeve, for example by two weld lines L1 and L2. The bag is filled priorto the closure of the second of these lines.

A bag of simple design is thus obtained, made up of two main walls 11and 12, the side edges of which are joined by gussets S.

It is also possible to form an equivalent bag in a different way, forexample by fitting together a plurality of separate sheets.

The bags such as described above are extremely widely used to containpotentially runny foods, for example to contain animal foods (and, moreespecially, granular foods).

Bags of reduced dimensions (containing up to about six kilograms ofproduct) generally appear as in FIG. 1 c.

These bags are generally intended to be handled when they are in theupright position, corresponding to the representation shown in FIG. 1 c.In this position, their direction of principal extension is vertical.

In the case of larger sized bags, it is necessary additionally toprovide gripping means, such as handles which are added onto the bag.Such handles are fixed on the bag at its upper end.

A first drawback of this known configuration is that the bag must behandled in the upright position: the handling of the bag can then provedifficult, especially in the case of large-sized bags. Moreover, thestability of the vertically stored bag is not guaranteed.

And since extra material is needed to form such add-on handles, thesegive rise to an additional cost, which, in itself, constitutes anotherdrawback.

Moreover, the addition of such handles onto the bag requires an extrastage to be realised in the bag manufacturing process.

The object of the invention is to propose a bag which enables the abovementioned drawbacks to be eliminated.

In order to achieve this object, the invention proposes a bag assemblyfor foods, in particular granular foods, including at least one bagwhich comprises two main walls joined by two side faces forming a gussetalong each side edge of the said main walls, and gripping means for thebag assembly, characterised in that the gripping means are implantedclose to a side edge of each bag of the assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred, but non-limiting aspects of the bag assembly according to theinvention are as follows:

the assembly only comprises one bag and one of the gussets S1 of the bagcomprises a ridge comprising at least one opening forming a grip handlefor the bag,

the ridge is isolated in a seal-tight manner from the rest of the bag,

the ridge comprises two leaves, each leaf containing an opening, the twoopenings being opposite one another so as to form a handle,

at least one reinforcing element is connected to the part of the ridgesurrounding the opening(s),

at least two bags mutually joined by a gripping element comprising ahandle

the gripping element is a sheet element comprising two leaves, each ofthe leaves being fixed to one of the respective bags of the assembly.

it comprises at least two bags, each bag containing a gusset, one leafof which has an increased height, the heightened leaves of two adjacentbags of the assembly being fixed together, a handle being arranged inthe assembly formed by the said two heightened leaves in order to formgripping means for the bag assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeclearer from a reading of the following description, in which:

FIGS. 1 a to 1 c represent diagrammatically the three main stages in themanufacture of an example of such a bag, according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective view of a bagaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are respectively a transverse sectional view and aperspective view of a first embodiment of the invention, in which twobags are assembled in a same bag assembly; and

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are respectively a transverse sectional view and aperspective view of a second embodiment of the invention, in which twobags are assembled in a same bag assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 2, a bag of generally rectangular shape isrepresented lying down such that its direction of principal extension isparallel to the horizontal direction, in contrast to the traditionalconfiguration of FIG. 1 c.

This bag, like the known bags described above, comprises two main walls11 and 12 of generally rectangular shape, joined by their side edges bytwo side faces, each of which forms a respective gusset S1, S2.

It is pointed out that the term “side edge” of a main wall (and, byextension, of the bag itself) here refers to one of the two edges of therectangular main wall (or of the bag), the length of which is greaterthan that of the two adjacent edges, these two latter edges of shorterlength being referred to by the term “end”.

The bag thus contains two side edges B1, B2 and two ends E1, E2.

Returning to the two gussets of the bag, these comprise a first gussetS1, which in FIG. 2 is at the top of the recumbent bag, and a secondgusset S2, which, unfolded, forms a base on which the bag rests.

Furthermore, the ends E1 and E2 of the bag are closed in a manner knownper se by two lines L1 and L2, which can be realised by welding of thetwo respective ends.

As represented in FIG. 2, means are provided for gripping of the bag.

According to the invention, these gripping means are not disposed on (orclose to) an end E1, E2 of the bag.

Rather, the gripping means, which are realised in a particular form tobe described below, are disposed on a side edge, in this case the upperedge B1, such that they are situated equidistant from the two ends E1and E2.

This implementation of the bag-gripping means in the middle of one ofthe side edges serves substantially to enhance the ergonomics associatedwith the bag.

In particular, the bag is easy to handle, the masses contained in thebag being much better balanced than in the known case of a bag equippedwith gripping means placed at the end of the bag.

And in the case of a bag containing a loose product, such as granularfoods, such reinforcement of the ergonomics is considerable. This iseven truer in the case of a large-sized bag.

It will be noted that the lower gusset S2 is advantageously used as thebase of the bag, in the unfolded position of the gusset. This helpsfurther to increase the stability of the bag when it is placed in aposition such as represented in FIG. 2.

According to another aspect of the invention, the gripping means arerealised in the form of a handle made in a ridge 15 of the gusset S1,which ridge is isolated in a seal-tight manner from the rest of the bagby a weld line L3 joining the two main walls 11 and 12 over their entirelength (a dimension which corresponded to the height in the case ofknown bags and which in FIG. 2 is parallel to the horizontal direction).

The ridge 15 is thus isolated from the rest of the bag and does notreceive any product during the filling of the bag, which is carried outprior to the closure of the second of the lines L1, L2.

The ridge 15 comprises two leaves 151 and 152, separated by a fold lineLS1 allowing the formation of the gusset S1.

The fold line LS1 can be situated above the weld line L3 (as representedin FIG. 2) or can coincide with it so as to form two leaves separated ina seal-tight manner.

In the event of the fold line LS1 being situated below the weld line L3,the said weld line does not directly join the two main walls 11 and 12of the bag, but is actually replaced by two weld lines placed oneopposite the other, each weld line joining the two walls of a respectiveleaf 151, 152.

In this case, the two weld lines also run over the entire length of eachof the two leaves such as to isolate the leaves 151, 152 of the ridgefrom the rest of the bag in a seal-tight manner.

Still according to the invention, a respective opening O1, O2 has beenarranged in each of the two leaves 151 and 152 of the ridge 15, the twoopenings being situated one opposite the other.

The two openings O1, O2 are preferably in the middle of the length ofthe side edge B1.

These two openings allow the engagement of the hand and thus form ahandle P1 for a user.

The handle P1 thus formed constitutes a particularly simple andeconomical gripping means for the bag.

And, as previously mentioned, its implantation on one of the side edgesof the bag allows the bag to be handled when extending in a generallyhorizontal direction, which is of particular use in the case oflarge-sized bags.

It will be possible to connect reinforcing elements R to the handle, forexample in the form of reinforcement blocks glued or welded onto eachleaf, around the opening made in the leaf.

And depending on the resistance of the material used to form the sheetsof the bag, and hence the leaves 151 and 152 in which the handle P1 isarranged, such reinforcing elements may be able to be dispensed with.

Preferably, the height h of each leaf of the gusset S1 containing ahandle is greater than or equal to the half-width of the said gusset S1when this is opened out, such that the two leaves—and hence theirrespective openings O1, O2—can be easily brought together to form ahandle and allow the bag to be handled.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the height h of eachleaf is substantially equal to the width of the opened-out gusset.

In general terms, the height h of the leaves of the gusset S1 in whichthe handle is arranged will be able to be adapted to be greater than theheight of the leaves of the gusset S2, which, for its part, istraditionally made.

An additional advantage of the invention is that it requires nomodification of the customary bag-filling processes, the bag accordingto the invention being able to be filled in a traditional mannerfollowing the closure of a first of its ends and prior to the closure ofits second end.

As will have been realised, such a bag is particularly (but notlimitatively) suitable for the sale of granular animal foods.

With reference now to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, a variant of the invention hasbeen represented in which a bag assembly 20 comprises two bags 21, 22.

It is pointed out that the representation shown in FIG. 3 a correspondsto a transverse section made through the middle of the bag assembly, sothat the handle P formed on the central gripping element 25 (which is tobe described in detail below) appears as separating this element into aplurality of parts. The same is true of the representation shown in FIG.4 a.

Each of these two bags is a bag made up of two main walls, welded attheir ends by weld lines L and the side edges of which are joined bygussets S.

The two bags 21 and 22 can be realised in a manner which is known perse, in accordance with the description given in the introductory part ofthe present application with reference to FIGS. 1 a to c.

According to this variant of the invention, gripping means are provided,implanted on the side edge of each bag, to allow handling of the bags inthe same position as for the bag described with reference to FIG. 2,that is to say that their direction of greatest extension is orientatedhorizontally.

According to this variant of the invention, a central gripping element25 is provided, composed of a sheet of flexible material doubled over soas to form two leaves 251 and 252.

Each of the two leaves is welded to one of the two respective bags by atleast one respective weld line L21, L22 extending over a significantpart of the length of the bag and preferably over the entire length ofthe leaf of the gripping element.

In order to ensure good cohesion of the assembly, the leaves of thegripping element are preferably of a length which covers a significantpart of the length of each bag.

In the representation shown in FIG. 3 a, the weld lines L21 and L22 thusjoin one of the leaves 251, 252 of the element 25 to the external wallof a gusset S of a respective bag 21, 22. These weld lines extend overthe entire length of their associated leaf.

Each leaf 251, 252 of the gripping element 25 additionally contains anopening, the two openings being located one opposite the other such asto form a handle P2 for the gripping and handling of the bag assembly20.

And here again, the handle P2 thus formed is preferably placed in themiddle of the side edges of the two bags 21, 22.

It is pointed out that the weld lines L21 and L22 can be replaced by anymeans known per se for joining together the leaves 251, 252 and the bags21, 22.

It is thus possible to replace these weld lines by glue lines, forexample.

And it is also pointed out that the bag assembly, the principle of whichhas been described with reference to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, can comprisemore than two bags. In this case, the gripping element is adapted tocomprise as many leaves as the number of bags contained in the bagassembly.

According to another variant of the invention represented in FIGS. 4 aand 4 b, it is also possible to form a bag assembly 30 containing twobags 31, 32, mutually joined together directly by a part of their edgegusset S which is above the bag (with the bags lying down such thattheir direction of greatest extension is horizontal).

In this case, one of the two leaves of each of these gussets can beenvisaged having an increased height h2 such as to make it easier forthese two leaves to be joined together and for an opening forming thehandle P3 to be arranged in the gripping assembly thus formed by the twoheightened leaves.

Here again, the joining together of the two bags 31, 32 can be realisedby any means known to the person skilled in the art, such as one or moreweld and/or glue lines.

In the example represented in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, this joining togetheris effected by a weld line L30 made between the two external walls ofthe leaves of increased height h2 of the two respective bags 31, 32.

The weld line L30 thus runs over the entire length of these two gussetleaves (and hence over the entire length of the bags 31, 32). Stillconcerning this example, the weld line L30 is situated below the handleP3 of the bag assembly 30.

It is pointed out that if the diagrammatic representations shown inFIGS. 3 a and 4 a represent gussets S, the leaves of which are openedout wide and exhibit no internal weld intended to isolate the leaf fromthe rest of the contents of the bag, it is clearly possible to providesuch weld lines to isolate, in the case of each of the leaves Srepresented in section in FIGS. 3 a and 4 a, each of the two leaves ofthe gusset, or at least the leaf located opposite the other bag which isused to form the means for gripping the bag assembly.

Finally, in this last embodiment of the invention once again, it is alsopossible to form a bag assembly comprising more than two bags.

In this variant, the bags of the assembly are disposed in series, theupper gusset S of each intermediate bag of the series having its twoleaves of increased height h2, whereas the upper gusset S of each of thetwo end bags of the series can only contain a single leaf of increasedheight.

The heightened leaves of two adjacent bags of the series are in thiscase fixed together, for example by a weld line. And the handle P3 is inthis case arranged in the assembly formed by the heightened leaves ofthe bags of the assembly.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A bag assembly for foods comprising: one bag; andgripping means for the bag assembly; wherein: said bag comprises twomain walls of generally rectangular shape, each of said main wallshaving two opposite side edges and two adjacent edges, the length ofeach of said side edges being greater than the length of each of saidadjacent edges, said two opposite side edges corresponding each to arespective bag side edge, said two main walls being joined by two sidefaces forming a gusset along each of said side edges; and said grippingmeans are implanted close to one of said bag side edge; said grippingmeans comprising two openings each of which is arranged in a respectiveone of two leaves of a ridge of one of said gussets, said two leavesbeing separated by a fold line for forming said gusset and said twoopenings being opposite one another so as to form a grip handle; andsaid two leaves of said ridge being isolated in a seal-tight manner fromthe rest of the bag by two weld lines each of which joins the two wallsof a respective leaf, said two weld lines being placed one opposite theother and running over the entire length of each of said two leaves. 10.The bag assembly according to claim 9, wherein at least one reinforcingelement is connected to the part of the ridge surrounding theopening(s).
 11. The bag assembly according to claim 9, wherein said bagis formed by doubling over a sheet, along a median line, to form saidmain walls which are joined together to form a substantially cylindricalsleeve, in the formation of which said two side faces forming a gussetare formed by arrangement of a fold line over all or part of the sleeveheight; and said bag has a first end and a second end corresponding eachto a respective one of said adjacent edges of said main walls, said bagbeing adapted to be filled via the second end following the closure ofthe first end and prior to the closure of the second end.
 12. The bagassembly according to claim 9, wherein said bag is dimensioned forcontaining more than six kilograms of granular animal food.
 13. The bagassembly according to claim 9, wherein said grip handle are arranged inthe middle of the length of one side edge of said bag.
 14. The bagassembly according to claim 9, wherein at least one reinforcing elementis connected to the part of the ridge surrounding the opening(s) andwherein: said bag is formed by doubling a sheet, over along a medianline, to form said main walls which are joined together to form asubstantially cylindrical sleeve, in the formation of which said twoside faces forming a gusset are formed by arrangement of a fold lineover all or part of the sleeve height; and said bag has a first end anda second end corresponding each to a respective one of said adjacentedges of said main walls, said bag being adapted to be filled via thesecond end following the closure of the first end and prior to theclosure of the second end.
 15. The bag assembly according to claim 9,wherein at least one reinforcing element is connected to the part of theridge surrounding the opening(s), and wherein said bag is formed bydoubling a sheet, over along a median line, to form said main wallswhich are joined together to form a substantially cylindrical sleeve, inthe formation of which said two side faces forming a gusset are formedby arrangement of a fold line over all or part of the sleeve height;said bag has a first end and a second end corresponding each to arespective one of said adjacent edges of said main walls, said bag beingadapted to be filled via the second end following the closure of thefirst end and prior to the closure of the second end; and said griphandle are arranged in the middle of the length of one side edge of saidbag.
 16. The bag assembly according to claim 9, further comprisinggranular animal food and the bag assembly wherein the bag contains morethan six kilograms of granular animal foods.